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Dr. Pepper: 125 Years and Still Going Strong

Company marks its anniversary of being the oldest soft drink in America.

November 30, 2010, 07:00 pm

PLANO, Texas -- It all began 125 years ago today when Dr Pepper was first served at Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Texas. And now the brand is wrapping up a yearlong celebration of being the oldest major soft drink in the country.

"This has been a landmark year for Dr Pepper and our fans, highlighting its rightful place in ‘pop’ culture," said Dave Fleming, director of marketing for Dr Pepper. "A true beverage original, Dr Pepper is the oldest major soft drink in America, and our fans have made us one of the best-selling soft drinks nationwide."

The locally headquartered brand literally rang in its anniversary celebration on January 25 when it teamed up with advertising icon David Naughton and the rock band KISS to ring the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange. The celebration moved on to one of the most watched television events of the year with a Dr Pepper Cherry commercial featuring KISS and the tribute band MiniKiss debuting during Super Bowl XLIV.

This summer Dr Pepper introduced six collectable cans inspired by the brand’s 125-year history, in addition to a version made with real sugar. The soft drink also marked the milestone with a 125th anniversary Dr Pepper cake competition, hosted by Abel Gonzales, at the State Fair of Texas. Gonzales, known in some circles as the king of the deep fryer, added his own touch with a Dr Pepper-inspired dipping sauce.

The celebration even went viral. The company posted "125 Things You Didn’t Know About Dr Pepper" on Facebook and Twitter throughout the year. The brand also posted an interactive visual timeline on DrPepper.com highlighting the brand’s most popular advertising campaigns and inviting fans to upload photos and videos.

"The enduring success of Dr Pepper can be attributed to its unique flavor and ability to connect with generations of fans," Fleming explained. To date, those fans who want to be a Pepper too number 5.8 million on Facebook and more than 25,000 on Twitter.